Te Matatini 2015, Aotearoa’s national Māori Kapa Haka championships attracting performers from around the country and Australia, will be held in Otautahi / Christchurch from 4 – 8 March 2015.

Te Matatini Society Chairman, Selwyn Parata, and the Chair of the Waitaha Council, Ranui Ngarimu, said that as a result of an Environment Court ruling, Te Matatini 2015 had to be pushed out to March to avoid a clash with the ICC Cricket World Cup, which is scheduled for South Hagley Park, Christchurch, from 12 – 23 February 2015.

Te Matatini Society, the organisers of the Kapa Haka national festival; the Waitaha Council, the host committee; the Christchurch City Council and ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 have discussed the impact of the Environment Court ruling. This ruling prohibits another event from being held elsewhere on Hagley Park at the same time that there is a major cricket match on Hagley Oval, where the combined attendance exceeds 20,000 people.

“While we are disappointed that we have to move our festival after the dates were confirmed, we understand the Christchurch City Council’s position in respect of the Environment Court ruling. Nonetheless we are committed to holding the next Te Matatini in Otautahi,” Mr Parata and Mrs Ngarimu said.

They added that it was fantastic for Christchurch that two high-profile events are to be held back-to-back in the city. “We are glad to be able to support Christchurch and hold our event so the city can benefit from two major events that will each attract tens of thousands of people from around New Zealand and overseas.”

Christchurch City Council events development manager Richard Attwood said that it was important that both events could still be held in the Garden City and we really do appreciate the support from Te Matatini and the Waitaha Council in finding a solution. “The Council is excited that a huge, international event like the ICC Cricket World Cup will be held in Christchurch with a number of games to be played, and that Te Matatini, which is a major cultural festival, will go ahead on the back of the cricket. These are the sorts of events that help revitalise Christchurch as an attractive tourist destination,” Mr Attwood said.

ICC Cricket World Cup organisers also paid thanks to Te Matatini Society and Waitaha Council. “We are grateful for the willingness of Te Matatini Society and Waitaha Council to work through this with ourselves and Christchurch City Council to ensure that both events are able to take place,” said Therese Walsh, Head of New Zealand for ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

“Both Te Matatini and the opening game of Cricket World Cup are special events for Christchurch, and celebrations the city very much deserves.”